How to Prevent Legionella in Schools?

This guide, written by the water safety specialists at Water Treatment Services highlights the dangers of Legionella in schools and similar educational environments, looking in particular at the control and prevention of this dangerous waterborne pathogen in engineered water systems.

The guide highlights a simple three-step approach to water safety management that will aid schools in the control and prevention of Legionella risks. It highlights who is responsible for water safety, the role of the Duty Holder and Responsible Person; and the importance of the Legionella risk assessment, precautionary control measures and the need for good record keeping.

What is Legionella?

Legionella is a type of bacterium that is commonly found in natural freshwater environments, such as rivers, lakes, and streams. However, it becomes a significant health concern when it contaminates engineered water systems such as plumbing systems, water tanks, cooling towers, and decorative fountains, where conditions can allow it to multiply.

When people inhale aerosol droplets of water contaminated with Legionella they can become infected. The bacterium can cause two distinct types of illness, Legionnaires’ disease, a severe pneumonia-like infection that can be fatal under certain circumstances; and Pontiac fever, a milder illness, resembling the flu.

Preventing Legionella in schools

All public buildings carry a degree of risk from the presence of Legionella bacteria within their water systems. For those people responsible for safety, the important point to keep in mind is that the risks should be kept as low as is practically possible, certainly below levels identified by safety regulators including the Health and Safety Executive and Ofsted. The approach to keeping any hot or cold water system safe may depend on the type of building the system is used in. In the case of schools and colleges, for instance, the approach to the control of Legionella may be very different from the one taken in a hospital.

So, where does the water safety management journey begin in school buildings? How can schools remain as safe as possible, with little to no opportunity for Legionella bacteria to spread within their buildings?

Taking a three-pronged approach to the control of Legionella

There are three main elements to consider when ensuring any school has good water safety and Legionella management practices in place.

Appointing competent people to manage the Legionella risks

Firstly, those responsible for managing and running the school and premises should be clear on what is required under health and safety law, what needs to be done and who is responsible for managing each area of risk. The appointment of a Duty Holder and Responsible Person is key here.

Carry out a Legionella risk assessment

Secondly, identifying the risk factors within the school building (or buildings) is essential and this can be done by carrying out a detailed legionella risk assessment. As always, when considering potential risk factors in a water system of any kind, it is vital to retain a sense of proportion.

Keep records of the precautions you put in place and what you do

Finally, it is essential to be able to prove how such risks have been identified, managed and controlled. Evidence of an in-depth legionella risk assessment, checks, and cleaning processes are good examples of how this might work. Staff training and competence is another area that is often neglected, so records of training courses, qualifications and experiences should also be recorded.

The importance of compliance with Legionella laws

Much of the process surrounding water safety and Legionella management is common sense. However, it is important for those in charge of this area of safety and health to be fully aware and up to date with the latest legislation, guidance and best practices. The Health and Safety Executive document called ACoP L8 is the relevant Code of Practice covering the control of Legionella in schools and other workplaces. Meanwhile, further advice and guidance is supplied in HSG274, especially Part 2 which covers the control of Legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems. These documents are available directly from the Health and Safety Executive.

Who is responsible for Legionella in a school?

Schools can be large, sprawling, and sometimes complex buildings. While maintaining safe water systems is essential in every building, some naturally pose a bigger challenge than others. A school is an excellent example of this.

As such, it is important that there should be an appointed Duty Holder and an individual who takes on the role of the Responsible Person (RP) for all Legionella control and water safety procedures at the school. It is not enough to choose a person at random for these roles. These individuals should be properly trained and competent for their roles, understanding the law, what it means and the various risks and control processes involved. There are Duty Holder and Responsible Person training courses that ensure the individual is properly prepared for the role and can conduct their duties responsibly and safely.

Indeed, this applies to all those with roles to play within the school management team that will look after the water safety plan, its implementation and operation. There should also be a clear hierarchy of individuals, so that everyone is clear where they stand and which individual is responsible for which elements of the process. This clarity is important, as confusion can become a serious issue with the potential for important tasks to get missed.

The school Legionella responsible person role

In some cases, the Legionella Responsible Person won’t have all the information and experience required to fully take on all aspects of their role. In such cases, it is sensible for the individual to nominate someone else who does have that experience in the water safety field. It may be that the RP (perhaps a headteacher, for example), has a degree of experience in this area, yet does not possess all the knowledge that another member of staff might have.

However, it is vital that if a deputy Responsible Person is chosen to take on certain aspects of the role, the roles of the RP and their deputy are crystal clear from the outset. If this is not the case, there could potentially be room for errors or omissions. If one person assumes someone else is taking on certain tasks and that is not the case, Legionella bacteria could gain a foothold in the school premises through misunderstanding. Clarity at all stages of the process is crucial here.

Keeping records of assessments, testing, remedial works and training

Maintaining a record of the Legionella risk assessment, management processes, maintenance schedules, and other tasks that form part of a school water safety plan is another essential aspect to cover. Those involved in keeping the water systems safe to ensure levels of Legionella and other bacteria are kept at safe levels must be clear on all aspects of the risk management and compliance processes.

School Legionella risk assessment

As we’ve already mentioned, the Legionella management process begins with a thorough risk assessment of all aspects of the water systems. In many cases, the complexity of a school water system makes it easier to call in an expert to conduct the legionella risk assessment on behalf of the Duty Holder, Responsible Person and other members of the school safety team.

The risk assessment will identify areas of risk and set-out the steps that ought to be taken by the school to maintain the safety of the water system. These steps may include regular maintenance, removal of problem areas such as dead legs, water assets that are no longer in use (e.g. disused taps or shower rooms), and regular testing. The risk assessment will identify all areas of concern, including whether the risks from Legionella can be minimised or if they could be removed altogether.

Identifying areas of Legionella risk within schools

Legionella risks within a school may vary depending on the nature and size of the buildings but they will certainly include both the hot and cold water parts of the system. Showers, sinks, water heaters, and storage tanks are all likely to be present as well. The Legionella assessor will make recommendations for steps to be taken in each area so risks are controlled helping the school to meet its compliance obligations set by the safety regulators including the Health and Safety Executive and Ofsted, and so keep staff, students and others safe.

Tasks are likely to include temperature monitoring of hot and cold water supplies. In other cases, simple flushing through of shower heads and taps periodically around the school may also be required.

There is no reason for an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease to occur in any school, providing the proper steps are taken to create a clear and understandable approach to water safety. Setting up a water safety team to manage this, supplying proper training, and seeking advice and services from outside experts all have a role to play.

Expert Water Treatment and Water Safety Solutions

Water Treatment Services provide a comprehensive range of water and wastewater treatment, water quality analysis, consultancy, and water engineering solutions to support business owners and those responsible for the safe and efficient operation of water systems in the workplace.

Contact us today to learn how our water treatment specialists can help you manage your water systems, maintain regulatory compliance, and ensure safe, reliable performance.

With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South West England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East), and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by regional teams of highly trained technicians and engineers, we deliver specialist consultancy, water quality analysis, engineering support, and risk management solutions across the UK and internationally.